Local

Fort receives recognition for blood donations, holds blood drive

“Robby the Blood Drop,” the Armed Services Blood Program, or ASBP’s mascot, makes an appearance at the awards presentation held before the blood drive at Eifler Fitness Center Tuesday. ASBP honored Fort Huachuca as the number-one blood donor in 2013 for the Blood Donation Center at Fort Bliss, Texas.

In keeping with January being National Blood Donor Month, the Armed Services Blood Program, or ASBP, recognized Fort Huachuca as the number-one contributing blood donor to the Blood Donor Center at Fort Bliss, Texas, in 2013. On Tuesday in Eifler Fitness Center, ASBP announced 697 pints of blood — more than 87 gallons — were collected on post last year. This is the second year in a row Fort Huachuca came in as the top donor.

Jerry Proctor, deputy to the commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, accepted the award. He described blood donation on post as a “win-win situation” due to the young Soldiers on post learning that Army culture is one of giving to something bigger than the individual.

“They come in and they give blood, and deep down inside, not only does it change them … but there is a change in that, ‘I have given and I made a difference.’” Proctor said. “That blood is going to be used somewhere to make a difference in someone’s life. So this is important for every single thing you can think of in the fact of giving, saving, learning about how to give in the world.”

From left, Lori Kuczmanski, Armed Services Blood Program donor coordinator, and Maj. James Burke, officer-in-charge of the William Beaumont Army Medical Center Blood Donor Center, Fort Bliss, Texas, present Jerry Proctor, deputy to the commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, with a “Texas-shaped” award recognizing Fort Huachuca as the number-one blood donor in 2013 to the Fort Bliss Blood Donor Center. The presentation took place Tuesday inside Eifler Fitness Center before the latest blood drive began.

“I’m pleasantly surprised at how great this community is to come out and support the program,” said Maj. James Burke, officer-in-charge of the Fort Bliss William Beaumont Army Medical Center Blood Donor Center. “I think they understand the need for blood because blood can only come from one source, and that’s you and me. With all the technology in this world, we still cannot make blood; it has to come from human donors.”

After the ceremony, ASBP kicked off their first blood drive of the year on the installation, also inside the Eifler Fitness Center. Each donor contributed 450 milliliters of blood.

While giving blood took between five and 10 minutes, Jeff Rodriguez, medical technician, Fort Bliss Donor Center, noted the donors needed some time beforehand to complete paperwork, get registered, and follow a pre-screening process of going over medical records and getting vitals checked. After donating, they were welcomed to their choice of cookies, juice and a free T-shirt.

“I like to be helpful and know my blood will go directly to service members who need it on the battlefield,” Spc. Sammie Jean Bell, Company F, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion, said as she had blood drawn.

For donors such as Roger “R. B.” Sayers, retired Army and Tucson resident, blood donation is a routine contribution. From Sept. 24, 2007, to Tuesday’s blood drive, Sayers has made 27 donations, amounting to more than three gallons.

Loretta Hosch, medical technician, Fort Bliss Donor Center, Texas, prepares Sgt. Robin Joyner of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, to have his blood drawn Tuesday at Eifler Fitness Center. The blood drive was hosted by the Armed Services Blood Program which ensures all blood donated reaches service members in need.

He started giving blood after feeling guilty for not doing more to support Soldiers after his 20 years of service. For Sayers, the contribution is a challenge due to his fear of needles.

He explained the answer to conquering his fear is “mind over matter.” Sayers’ advice for young Soldiers is to donate blood now, because no one knows when they will need it.

According to Lori Kuczmanski, ASBP donor coordinator, ASBP is the official blood bank of the military and consists of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Army makes up approximately 50 percent of that mission. The Fort Bliss Blood Donation Center is one of 23 blood donor centers nation-wide.

“We want to thank Fort Huachuca for contributing and to let them know that their donations have directly helped our service members and their Families world-wide,” Kuczmanski said.

Times are changing. Gone are the days when a kid stood on the corner waving the newspaper and crying out the latest headline. Gone are the days when news could wait until the presses had finished rolling. Today news is instanta...

Joan Vasey Managing Editor As managing editor of The Fort Huachuca Scout for the last eight years, I’ve seen a lot of transitions as military and civilian personnel have come and gone, including Scout reporters. Threaded thro...

Significant changes to installation access at Fort Huachuca will begin Aug. 3 including a return to the original gate names and background checks for all individuals 18 years and older without an approved form of DOD identification. What is now known as the Main Gate, will return to its historical name, Buffalo Soldier Gate, and...

Julianne E. Cochran An Enlisted Aide Training Course instructor shows a student the specifics of setting up a general officer’s uniform during a practical exercise. WASHINGTON – Enlisted aides are considered an elite group ...

Stephanie Caffall From left, Trey Roberts, 10, John Pecic, 9, and Kyla gross, 7, hold Bible point signs during snack time. The Bible point on July 16 was God has the power to forgive. Fort Huachuca’s Main Post Chapel hosted i...

Information

Publisher

This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the United States Army. Contents of The Fort Huachuca Scout are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the United States Government, Department of Defense, Department of Army or the United States Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, Fort Huachuca, or Aerotech News and Review, Inc.

Disclaimer

All editorial content of The Fort Huachuca Scout is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the PAO. The Fort Huachuca Scout is printed by Aerotech News and Review, a private firm in no way connected with DA, under exclusive written contract with Fort Huachuca U.S. Army Garrison. The civilian printer is responsible for all advertising.